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Shiraae
Vegetables in tofu dressing
Shira-ae (白和え): vegetables dressed in creamy mashed tofu, sesame and white miso
Shiraae, 'white dressing', is one of the oldest dishes of Japanese temple cooking and still a gentle home side today, especially in the Kyoto area: blanched spinach, carrot and konnyaku folded into a creamy paste of tofu, ground sesame and a touch of white miso. It tastes mild, nutty and lightly sweet, rather like a Japanese answer to a dip-dressed salad. The common mistake is leaving the vegetables wet, which turns the dressing grey and runny; squeeze them well and dress just before serving. Chef's tip: for the silkiest dressing, grind the toasted sesame in a suribachi (or mortar) until it starts to turn oily, then mash the tofu straight into it.
- Total time
- 28 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the vegetables
- 5 ½ oz spinach
- ½ carrotcut into fine matchsticks
- 2 ⅞ oz konnyakucut into fine strips
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 3 ½ tbsp kombu-shiitake dashifish-free
For the tofu dressing
- 7 oz firm tofu
- 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp white (shiro) miso
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Wrap 7 oz firm tofu in kitchen paper, put a plate on top and leave for 15 minutes to drain.
Step 3: Simmer the carrot and konnyaku with 3 ½ tbsp kombu-shiitake dashi and 1 tsp soy sauce in a small pan for 2–3 minutes, until the liquid has almost gone. Cool.
3 minStep 4: Grind 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds in a mortar until it is a damp, fragrant powder. Add the tofu, 1 tbsp white (shiro) miso, 1 tbsp sugar and 1 pinch salt and grind into a smooth, thick paste.
Step 5: Squeeze the spinach once more. Fold all the vegetables into the dressing just before serving and pile into small bowls.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does shiraae take?
- About 28 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of carrot?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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